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"Come on! Come on!" Danes cheer as Hæsten motions for them to urge him on. She felt Sihtric wrap his hand around her wrist to stop her from dissociating again, she wasn't sure which was worse. Watching her brother die or knowing she couldn't stop it. She watched her brother as he slapped his head to focus and grunted in confusion. She shot Skade a look that even a god would fear, and it didn't fail her when the blonde woman cowered next to Brida at the sight. She made to move and kill the seer herself but Sihtric stopped her.

"Uhtred must kill her, to rid himself of the curse." Angrboda frowned but nodded. She didn't want Sihtric to lose anyone to Skade, he didn't deserve that pain. Not like her.

"Valhalla awaits one man. Are you ready then? Begin!" Cnut shouts and moves to watch them fight. She tensed when Bloodhair went in for the fatal blow but suddenly froze and groaned, Sihtric noticed and looked at Angrboda. Brida looks over at Cnut, Sihtric, and Angrboda with a worried glance.

Angrboda snarled at Skade as the blonde bites and sucks her fingers seductively as she gazed down at Bloodhair. Angrboda flinched when Hæsten wounded her brother and she watched as he kneeled before the blonde witch. Bloodhair looks at his sister with an apologetic expression before attempting to attack Skade, he fails as Skade jabs two daggers into his throat.

Angrboda felt Sihtric move to her as she kneeled next to Bloodhair and she wrapped his hand around his axe, ignoring the smirk Skade wore. Sihtric sent Skade a dirty look as he placed a comforting hand on his newfound friend's back, Angrboda hesitated briefly but leaned down next to her brother's ear.

"Goodbye, brother." She whispered with fresh tears. Her throat burned at the use of her weak vocal cords and she knew she sounded hoarse and awful but seeing Bloodhair's smile was worth the pain.

"Still sounds as beautiful as I remember, my little giantess." He mumbled with a pained smile before exhaling his last breath. She placed her forehead against his as she mourned him, Sihtric felt for the woman and rubbed her back gently.

"She is poison to all men." Sihtric announced looking at Skade.

"We will bury him, as a warrior. He is feasting in the great halls with our fathers. Bury him." Cnut shouted and grew confused when Sihtric stepped forward protectively.

"No, Angrboda has a grave prepared, lord. I will help her bury her brother." Sihtric said as looked at the grieving woman, Cnut nodded in thanks as he left."Take as long as you need, I will be here." Sihtric whispered to her as he sat next to them, she shot him a grateful look and ignored his concerned expression at the sight of her bloody tears.

Sihtric reached out to pull her into his chest and when she didn't pull away he began to stroke her hair gently, he wasn't sure how to comfort the woman but he hoped her knowing she wasn't alone would bring her some kind of reassurance. Once she finally gave him the approval to bury him, Sihtric and another man placed him into the grave. He watched as she cut a lock of her brother's hair and frowned sadly when she cradled it in her palm.

"Angrboda," Sihtric whispered and glanced around before crouching next to her. "You can go leave with me. Uhtred will be here soon to reclaim Skade, come with us." She raised her hand to rest on Sihtric's face with a soft expression before pulling away.

"Uhtred will not want me, Sihtric. I am cursed by the gods, I do not speak. I will just make him and his men uneasy."

Sihtric frowned at that and gently grabbed her arm when she went to leave. She wondered why he was so adamant about this.

"No, that is not true. I am not leaving you." Sihtric said with a promise and she knew that with the fire in his eyes, he would not go against that. She dropped her head in defeat before nodding, she rolled her eyes when he grinned widely. She allowed him to guide her into the woods and she raised an eyebrow when he moved her next to a tree to walk out first.

"You have something to say to me, boy?" The man, Uhtred, she assumed spoke with seriousness.

"I do," She watched as Sihtric unsheathed his sword. "Yield to me." He ordered and she noticed Uhtred dropped his weapon as Sihtric then jabbed his into the soil. The two hug and laugh as the men surrounding them grow confused.

"You were playing us. My goodness, they were playing us, Finan! Why?" She looked down to her left and noticed a young monk.

"If you had not believed it nor would others." Uhtred spoke as he picked up his weapon with a laugh.

"I fooled you." Sihtric said happily. She felt herself smile softly at that, he was too sweet to be a dane.

"No, I knew." She glanced over to see another man, he had an Irish accent. And was handsome.

"No, you did not. Was I good?" Sihtric asked them.

"A little."

"I'm telling you, I knew." The Irishman insisted as he pulled him into a hug. "I just hope it was all worth it."

"I hope so, too." Sihtric said and held his hand out to her, she hesitated but grasped the outstretched palm.

"I sent you to spy, not fall for a woman." Uhtred sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

"Lord, she is not my woman. She is a friend." Sihtric said confidently and pulled her close as he looked at Uhtred. Uhtred nodded to the boy, why not? He would consider her a part of their company since Sihtric was so persistent. Sihtric wasn't one to trust so easily.

"What do you know? We saw Cnut on the road." Uhtred said avoiding questioning the boy about this mysterious woman.

"Only Hæsten remains at the camp." Sihtric informed.

"What of Bloodhair?" She flinched at the mention of her brother and Sihtric stroked her hand softly. Uhtred didn't miss the exchange and only became more confused.

"Dead. He fought with Hæsten and was killed by Skade."

"Good Jesus." The Irishman mumbled.

"She's a witch like no other," He paused before glancing at Angrboda. "Perhaps not as good as you." Sihtric teased nudging her, she shook her head in amusement. She was no witch. Just cursed.

"Another one?" The monk asked fidgeting next to the Irishman.

"She knows I'm near?" Uhtred interrupted.

"Yes, she knows of your promise to shadow-walk. But there are too many guards." Sihtric told the Dane. Angrboda bit her lip in thought before pulling the Dane's hand to get his attention, he released his hold on her as she signed.

"The tree."

"What tree?" Uhtred questioned startling them both.

"You understood that?" The Irishman asked as he glanced at them.

"Ragnar taught me when I was young. I'm a little rusty though." Uhtred explained and smiled softly at the woman when she looked at him in astonishment.

"She is allowed to collect grass and herbs by a tree for her spells. A single tree on the other side of the camp. You cannot miss it." Sihtric teased.

"Tell her I'm here and take her there tonight."

"And if she refuses? If Hæsten prevents her?" Sihtric questioned.

"She will not refuse and Hæsten will not refuse her." Uhtred said with a chuckle.

"You have never failed me, Sihtric. I will see you at the tree. Let's go. Finan?" Uhtred spoke but paused when his friend was watching Sihtric and the woman.

"Shouldn't we know her name at least?" Finan questioned as Sihtric looked at her for permission and she nodded.

"Her name is Angrboda, Bloodhair's sister." Uhtred frowned sadly at that. "That is Uhtred, Osferth, and Finan." Osferth shyly waved at her while Finan seemed to be mesmerized.

"It's nice to meet you, gorgeous." He said flirtatiously and yelped when Sihtric shoved him to Uhtred and Osferth.